Because free download sites are illegal? I used to know people who swore by the likes of Limewire or The Pirate Bay but they're illegal and with most internet providers having a three strikes system for illegal downloaders it's not worth having your net cut off.

'cos they think that stealing it via a free download site is..well..wrong?

Yes, this

The way I see it, is that the musicians have gone to all the trouble & expense of writing & producing the music. The least I can do is pay them for it. After all, I wouldn't want to work for nothing, so why should we expect them to?

I like to do my part, I realise most of the artists I listen to probably don't need the money, but I like to feel I've supported them and helped them get to where they are, and help them to make more music in the future.

Because its illegal to download for free.
& my favorite artists have worked hard on their music & i like
to support them. I could never illegally download music & call
myself a fan. People who do should be ashamed of themselves!
& are cheap skates.

Because I like owning the physical CDs. Even if an artist offers a legal free download, I'd still rather own it on CD. I'm not very internet-savvy either, so I'd probably end up with loads of viruses if I tried illegal downloading.

I pay money to artists & bands that I like, those who I don't like don't get a penny. Take 1D or the latest Now albums for example, I wouldn't even download that sh!t illegally as it is a waste of a blank disc or HDD space. I also order albums for the cheapest price possible, I don't believe in paying over £20 for an album in HMV, because they class it as an import, I would rather save a few quid & buy it online.

Because free download sites are illegal? I used to know people who swore by the likes of Limewire or The Pirate Bay but they're illegal and with most internet providers having a three strikes system for illegal downloaders it's not worth having your net cut off.

You must be going to the wrong places then as the download site I use offers 320 + FLAC format.

I don't use any download site unless it's one where you PAY for them. I am sure you're referring to illegal free music of course as the only place I've seen where you can get FLAC files legally are quite a bit more expensive.

If I buy them not on CD I use Amazon as they use variable bitrate MP3's.

A lot of people probably don't even know how to illegally download, or are scared to. I'm talking mainly about the older generations, and very young children. My parents, for example, are scared to download ANYTHING from the Internet. Even attachments that I send them in emails, they're scared to download because they think it might have a virus. They just don't understand, there's no way my parents would be able work out how to illegally download music.

I realize that music shops have struggled in recent years due to people downloading music online.

However, since many sites provide the option of free downloads, why do many people continue to pay for music (either buying physical cds or downloading songs from sites like itunes)?

Because it's a form of stealing. I don't care how many other people do it, I don't want to be a thief myself. If you didn't get paid for your work you would be outraged. Why should it be any different for musicians? We should be paying for the music that they have created.